Baseball: Panthers scorch opponents at Comanche Classic
Fort Stockton didn’t just win all four games they competed in on their home field at the Comanche Classic tournament last week.
The Panthers outclassed all their foes, showcasing their potential on the diamond.
Fort Stockton outscored their opponents 49-5 in route to a perfect 4-0 mark at the event.
Daniel Rojo’s squad downed Fabens 11-3 and El Paso Bel Air 17-1 to begin the event on Feb. 24. The Panthers followed with a 10-0 win over Lubbock High and a 11-1 victory against Amarillo Palo Duro on Feb. 25.
Fort Stockton 10 Lubbock High 0
The Panthers broke open a no-score tie in the third inning, plating four runs in the frame. Fort Stockton brought another four runs across home plate in the fourth frame to gain an 8-0 lead.
Fort Stockton plated two runs in the fifth to complete their run-rule victory.
Junior Cruz Rojas threw a complete game no-hitter for the Panthers.
Fort Stockton 11 Palo Duro 1
Fort Stockton concluded their Comanche Classic run with a 10-run rout of Palo Duro on Friday.
The Panthers scored six runs in the third inning and added three runs over the next two frames to pull away from the Dons.
Felipe Sotelo earned the win on the mound by going the distance in the five-inning contest.
Fort Stockton 11 Fabens 3
The Panthers’ most contested game of the Comanche Classic came in their first outing of the event against Fabens – a school that’ll be in their football district next season.
Corbin Luna got the nod for the start on the mound for Fort Stockton for the first time in his young career and capitalized on the opportunity in the 11-3 victory for the Panthers.
Isaiah Velasquez provided relief for Luna midway through Thursday’s contest and Julian Leyva closed out the game against the Wildcats’ last batter.
“We were alive all game with timely hits and good team at bats,” Panthers head coach Daniel Rojo said.
Fort Stockton 17 Bel Air 1
Bel Air, a school with a rich baseball history, faced off against the Panthers and freshman pitcher Rylan Nunez to conclude play on Feb. 24.
“Nunez had himself a day on the mound, going five complete innings with one run scored against a very talented Bel Air team. Nunez had plenty help from his team on the defensive and offensive side. Our lineup was at its best in every offensive category you can think of. We drew walks, had timely hits. It all came together at the plate for us,” Rojo said.
The first-year Fort Stockton head coach mentioned his team’s effective base running as a critical part of their success and how that part of the game is often forgot.
“We showcased their ability on the base paths,” he said. “We got down the line fast and took the extra bases.”